to help restore service, the air force flew dozens of utility trucks from california to the east coast. and for many in the big apple the situation is growing worse by the hour. residents are complaining that much-needed assistance is slow to arrive. nearly half of manhattan remains blacked out and temporary charging stations were set up so people can charnel up their cell phones. but as michelle miller shows us, many are still stranded inside their homes. >> reporter: in the dark and narrow staircase of lower manhattan seward park apartment complex, we heard the echo of the footsteps. >> three, four, five, six -- >> reporter: to make his way through. the 62-year-old counts every step. >> got to slow down for us, buddy. >> reporter: have to slow down for us, buddy. seward lost power monday night. since then castwell is the only lifeline to the outside world for at least seven families. he was headed to the 20th floor. >> we got a message to try and help these people, whoever they are. >> reporter: he first stopped to visit 92-year-old lily. she lives on floor 16. >> if people hadn't be